Rough Notes About Dwarves
The following are some early notes during development of my take on dwarves. Much is missing and specifics may change or not be broadly true in the future. I hope you enjoy my rambles :)
Dwarves are a generally stoic and perfectionist race, with a deep love for music, and close family bonds.
To the dwarves the clan is the most important thing in most of their lives. Dwarven clans are traditionally organized into three levels, though a fourth level has been added since the religious convergence. The lowest of these traditional clans is simply the clan. The leader of this level of clan are referred to as chieftain. The next level is the high clan. the leader of this clan is a chief. The third clan is the royal clan. The leader of a royal clan is a high king. The fourth, and newest, clan is the priestly clan. The leader of this clan is a bishop. A dwarf is only seen as a full member of the clan after they become a master of a trade/art and are married. With the exception of the priestly clans. In which they must become a master of a trade/art and theology.
New clans can be established by any married dwarven couple with at least 50 decedents. This does include the spouses of married children. This new clan must then be recognized by either a high king, 10 high clans, or 100 clans. If approved then the leader of the new clan must take a new name. The clan will then be named after this individual.
Dwarves are considered to be adolescents at the age of 30. At this age young dwarves will be sent away from their home holds and cannot return for 20 years and must study a trade or art. The Dwarf must then prove their mastery to a grandmaster. The grandmaster is usually that of the hold they grew up in. Though grandmasters of the same clan can be allowed if none of the previous are available. And failing that a grandmaster from the nearest hold is considered acceptable.
It is only after they become the master of an trade/art that they are considered to be adults and are able to marry or enter religious life. If they are not able to do so by the age of 80 then they are banished from dwarven societies. Usually becoming tradesmen in other races homelands. Dwarves live primarily in underground settlements known as holds. Temporary settlements do exist and are typically referred to as mines. Many of these mines are located close to established holds, and many become the site of new holds. In most cases very few live permanently in these mines. Instead traveling from their holds and working the mines for months at a time. Then returning to rest for several months. Mines are typically located within a months travel from a hold. As the dwarven railways have expanded this distance had become greater.
In order for a new hold to be established it must meet several requirements. First being that there has to be a permanent population of 500 dwarves. Second being that there be a chapel built that can sufficiently fulfill are religious needs and can hold 1000 parishioners. Third being that a clan claims the hold. This is usually the clan that has the largest population in the hold or that have invested the most in the new hold. And lastly that a mausoleum be built in honor of the leading clan. This mausoleum will also act as the administrative center of the hold. A new mausoleum will be built in the hold by and for each clan the numbers over 100 members in the hold. These will act as administrative centers for clan members within that hold.
